In Iceland, where they use geothermal energy, their energy is 81 percent renewable, and the country is food- and energy-secure. Iceland has its house in order.
Now it’s negotiating for a 745-mile cable to England.
It’s clear to me that Iceland is reaching for prosperity, not for energy security.
Why can’t we shoot for prosperity for our future generations here in Hawai‘i?
Do we dare?
Norned (norway to netherlands) cable has been operational for a few years now, is about 380 miles long and cost about $1.2 billion to put in. That is about the same distance as south big island to oahu. What a lot of people don’t understand is this is new power transmission technology, HVDC, that is based on old principles but only possible now due to materials science advances, reducing distance power loss to a fraction while using a moderately inexpensive armored submarine power cable.